Systems Engineer - Team Lead

Company Overview: At ValidaTek, we modernize and optimize IT services to solve some of the most critical challenges facing federal civilian and defense agencies. From customers to partners to top-talent employees, ValidaTek puts people first, empowering them to exceed expectations and transform government organizations. Our success starts and ends with our people, so we built a company where great people can do great things, with the resources and autonomy to make decisions that transform organizations. We operate as one team of diverse people, united by a passion for continuous growth and optimization. Our commitment to quality and performance optimization is the reason why our IT Service Projects and New Development Projects have been appraised at CMMI Maturity Level 5, positioning us as one of a handful of elite companies to receive the highest form of third-party validation.

Summary: We are seeking an experienced Systems Engineer - Team Lead to support a critical Department of Homeland Security (DHS) program. The Senior Systems Engineer Lead will oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of complex IT infrastructure and systems, ensuring they meet DHS requirements for security, performance, and reliability. This role will lead a team of engineers, collaborate with various stakeholders, and ensure that all systems are aligned with DHS mission objectives and best practices in systems engineering.

Responsibilities:

• Systems Design & Architecture:
  • Lead the design, implementation, and optimization of IT infrastructure and systems, including networks, servers, storage, and virtualization solutions.
  • Ensure that system architectures meet DHS security standards, performance requirements, and operational needs.
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive system designs, documentation, and diagrams using industry-standard tools and methodologies.
• Team Leadership & Collaboration:
  • Lead and mentor a team of systems engineers, providing technical guidance, task assignment, and performance management.
  • Foster a collaborative environment where team members can contribute to innovative solutions.
  • Collaborate closely with other IT teams, program managers, and DHS stakeholders to understand requirements, plan deployments, and ensure successful project delivery.
• Systems Integration & Testing:
  • Oversee the integration of new systems and technologies into the existing infrastructure, ensuring minimal disruption to operations.
  • Conduct system performance testing, troubleshooting, and tuning to ensure optimal performance across all components.
  • Ensure all system changes follow DHS change management protocols and are thoroughly tested before deployment.
• Security & Compliance:
  • Ensure that all systems and infrastructure are designed and maintained in accordance with DHS security requirements and federal regulations.
  • Implement and manage security protocols such as encryption, access controls, and auditing to protect sensitive DHS data.
  • Collaborate with security teams to ensure the timely application of patches, security updates, and vulnerability management practices.
• Operational Support & Troubleshooting:
  • Provide high-level support for critical systems, ensuring availability, reliability, and scalability of the IT infrastructure.
  • Serve as the primary point of escalation for complex issues, working with the engineering team to resolve problems quickly and effectively.
  • Monitor system performance and availability, utilizing tools to detect and resolve potential issues before they impact DHS operations.
• Disaster Recovery & Continuity Planning:
  • Develop and maintain disaster recovery (DR) and business continuity plans (BCP) to ensure minimal downtime during incidents.
  • Regularly test backup, recovery, and failover procedures to ensure readiness for unexpected events.
• Project Management & Stakeholder Communication:
  • Lead systems engineering projects from initiation to completion, ensuring projects meet deadlines and quality expectations.
  • Coordinate with DHS program managers and stakeholders to provide regular updates on project status, risks, and outcomes.
  • Ensure that all projects adhere to DHS and federal government project management methodologies and reporting requirements.
• Continuous Improvement:
  • Stay updated on emerging technologies and industry best practices, recommending improvements to current systems and processes.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance system performance, security, and operational efficiency.

Qualifications:

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Experience:
  • 7+ years of experience in systems engineering, with at least 3 years in a senior or lead role.
  • Proven experience supporting federal programs, preferably within DHS or other government agencies.
  • Strong background in systems design, implementation, and administration, including experience with cloud technologies, virtualization, and hybrid IT environments.
• Technical Skills:
  • Expertise in systems engineering, including Windows and Linux servers, network infrastructure, storage systems, and virtualization (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V).
  • Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) and hybrid cloud environments.
  • Strong knowledge of networking technologies (e.g., DNS, DHCP, VPN, firewalls) and cybersecurity best practices.
  • Strong knowledge of Blade System Chassis, Blade/Virtual/Physical Servers, Storage Area Networks, Fiber Channel Switches, IP KVMs, Tape Library Backup Systems, Microsoft 2012 R2 Servers, Oracle and Red Hat Linux, and Apple Mac OSX.
  • Experience with automation and scripting (e.g., PowerShell, Python, Ansible) to streamline operations.
• Certifications:
  • Relevant certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, or VMware Certified Professional are a plus.
  • ITIL v3 or v4 Foundation certification is preferred.
  • CISSP, CISM, or other cybersecurity certifications are highly desired.
• Clearance:
  • Must be able to pass the DHS law enforcement background check.

Posted Min Pay Rate: USD $79,648.00/Yr. Posted Max Pay Rate: USD $132,747.00/Yr.
Salary Disclosure: Actual salary will be based on a variety of factors including experience, geographic location, contract affordability, internal equity, education, and certifications. The upper end of the salary range may be reserved for individuals who have demonstrated tenure with the company, seniority, and proven excellent performance. This includes factors such as education, certifications, and extensive/unique experience beyond what is required.

EEO Statement: ValidaTek is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status. Applicants who are selected for employment will be required to verify authorization to work in the United States. Offers of employment will be contingent upon passing a post-offer background check.